Overview
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the government could close parts or all of U.S. airspace if conditions become unsafe and warned of “mass chaos” for travelers if the shutdown persists into next week.
- The White House reported more than 5,000 flight delays on November 2, and FAA advisories show rolling staff shortages across major facilities producing uneven, system‑wide disruptions.
- FAA data show a surge in air traffic controller callouts left at least half of the Core 30 facilities understaffed, prompting flow reductions, ground delays and localized stops to preserve safety.
- Nearly 13,000 controllers are working without pay on top of a longstanding shortfall of roughly 3,000 positions, with recent delays topping an hour at LAX and San Diego after warnings about Orlando staffing.
- Travel companies urged Congress to end the shutdown ahead of Thanksgiving, estimating $4 billion in travel‑economy losses to date and cautioning that holiday demand could magnify the disruption.